The Pella Lady Dutch basketball team had quite a few more questions about the team heading into the season than last year’s squad, and it centered around what the team could do beyond three-year starter Katie Vander Molen.

In the midst of a seven-game winning streak, they seemingly have found many of their answers. Whether it’s been the stingy defense of Annika Pingel or Kloe Lambert, the rapid growth of Freshman Emily Holterhaus, who leads the team in blocks and has grown her all around game, or the expanded role of Ciara Buchheit, who leads the team in assists with 34, the strengths of the team were no more evident than in their win Tuesday against a much-improved Newton team.

But the key might just be the breakout season of Forward Kiara Bradley, who has had her hands on the ball more than any other Pella player and has nearly scored as many points per game–14.4, as the aforementioned Vander Molen. Assistant Coach Wade Van Vark says the growth of Kiara has been astounding to watch, but others have made themselves important as well.

The 9-2 and surging Lady Dutch host Oskaloosa Friday night, which can be heard live on 92.1 KRLS at 6:15 p.m.